Part 2 - Clarity of Part 2 of Preparation for the month of The Glorious Quran article series11/1/2022 Last week, we looked at the definition of intention and why it is necessary. To succeed in our intentions requires clarity of the purpose of who we are and why we are fasting. To have clarity in why we do things is vital as it provides connection, transparency of how we can improve and our relationship with Allah (The Most High).
Just a few months away, the month of Ramadan will be upon us, the gates of Paradise will be open and; the gates of Hellfire are closed. In society, many fall into the traps of not understanding the true nature of fasting in Ramadan. Fasting in Ramadan is an act of worship, a time for devotion, nourishing our minds, bodies and souls with moral training and piety. It is an act of gratitude for the blessings of Allah (The Most High) bestowed upon all His Creation. If we sincerely want to make a difference and express our gratitude, we need to find our purpose and improve the necessary delivery. Say, “In the bounty of Allah and His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.” [Quran, Surah Yunus (Jonah) 10:58] According to scholars, the bounty of Allah (The Most High) is the Quran. It is the greatest blessing upon us, the creation. It serves as guidance and mercy for us to transition from dark to light. The Quran and the Hadith (Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) is what we should rejoice in and connects us with happiness in both lives. To find clarity of fasting in the month of Ramadan is to have a clear mindset and be focused on the necessary plans and choices to make the most of Ramadan. For example, when walking in the fog or driving on a rainy or snowy day. You have a motive to go somewhere but, the vision is not clear. Similarly, intention and clarity work hand-in-hand to provide direction, monitor progress and reasoning. However, if the intention of what you plan to do is SMART, a backup plan is still necessary For example, ‘I intend to do this…but if it does not work out, this is my second deadline.’ This makes one effective with time, lower disappointment and gain gratitude. Having unclear clarity can put off things, cause overthinking that can lead to unanswered questions, not sure how to plan or prioritise and lack of confidence. Starting things but not completing things and depends on the SMART goal. Allah (The Most High) says: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of other days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers well [i.e., excess] - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. The month of Ramaḍān [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’ān, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month,1 let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful. And when My servants ask you, [O Muḥammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” [Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2:183 – 186] According to the scholars concerning the above verses, to fast is to abstain from food, drink and sexual activity sincerely for the sake of Allah (The Most High). This occurs from sunrise to sunset and; there is a time called Suhoor allocated where one can consume food, drink and voluntary units of prayer in preparation. The beginning of Ramadan is known as the crescent of the moon in the lunar month. Fasting in the month of the revelation of the Quran is not compulsory for all. Islam is mercy, Allah is the Most Merciful - if only people think and understand the wisdom behind each principle. For example, if one is not well, pregnant, menstruation (period), travelling, breast-feeding or elderly, they do not need to fast. If one has missed an obligatory fast, they can make it up before the following Ramadan (not consecutively) or can feed one poor person as an expiation for the missed day known as the Fidyah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) travelled with his companions. He reached an area called Kadid and where he broke his fast and asked his companions to do the same. [Fath Al-Bari 3:213, Muslim 2:784] The breaking of fast has occurred on two occasions where the companions (may Allah have mercy upon him) were abstained from fasting in the Battle of Badr and the conquest of Makkah. In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‘It is not part of Birr (piety) to fast when fasting while travelling’ [Fath Al-Bari 4:216, Muslim 2:786]. So how can we practically create clarity for the preparation and fasting for the month of Ramadan?
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AboutThe AFT team have organized a series of weekly inspiration, every Wednesday to help motivate and prepare you for this amazing moment we all yearn for. ArchivesCategories |